Bike Safety Tips & Resources

How to Use Your Brakes Effectively

Biking, whether for transport, the daily commute, or recreational purposes, offers numerous benefits and joys. However, learning the art of braking is crucial to ensuring safety on the road. Your habits in handling the bike, especially how you use your brakes, play a pivotal role in how you react during an emergency. There's no need to overthink it, but understanding the function of both front and rear brakes and their proper use can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

The Dynamics of Front and Rear Brakes

Bikes are equipped with two brakes: one at the front wheel and another at the back. These brakes work differently and, therefore, need to be used together for controlled and effective stopping.

Front Brake: It's more powerful than the rear brake because braking shifts the rider's weight forward, increasing the front tire's grip on the road. However, improper use can lead to the dreaded scenario of going over the handlebars. To avoid this, get in the habit of keeping your bum in the seat when braking, which keeps your weight back.

Rear Brake: Using only the rear brake might seem safer, but it significantly reduces your ability to stop quickly. Relying solely on the rear brake in emergencies can lead to longer stopping distances and potentially more severe accidents.

Establishing Good Braking Habits

Use Both Brakes Evenly: To know how to stop a bike quickly and with control, apply both the front and rear brakes evenly. This method allows you to avoid overthinking while utilising the full stopping power of your bike, reducing the risk of accidents.

Keep Your Bum in the Seat: This advice might seem counterintuitive, especially if you've experienced a fall by going over the handlebars as a child. However, keeping your bum in the seat when stopping and starting ensures that your weight is distributed towards the back of the bike, minimising risk and ensuring good habits for the rare emergency situation.

Feet on the Pedals Until Stopped: The more you are attached to the bike, the more control you maintain. Removing a foot reduces control by 20%, removing both, 40%, and lifting your bum off the seat, 60%….you get the picture! Do NOT put two feet down when stopping the bike. And if your seat is high, resist the urge to get out of the saddle… seat… as you come to a stop.

Brakes On and One Foot on the Ground When Stationary: Developing the habit of keeping the brakes engaged and only one foot on the ground when stationary ensures maximum control. This position also prepares you to move off quickly and safely. Pedal, Set … Go!

Safe Mounting and Dismounting: Most single-person bike accidents occur when falling from a stationary position. Not much more hurt than your pride! To get on and off your bike safely, tilt the bike towards you with the brakes on. This approach turns the bike into a stable tripod, making it easier to mount or dismount without losing balance.

Understanding How Brakes Work

Wheels Stop, Bike Doesn't: When you engage the rear brake alone, the wheel locks and it slows the bike, but the momentum can carry you forward, especially if stopping suddenly. Using the front brake, in conjunction with the rear, distributes the stopping force more evenly, allowing for a quicker and safer stop.

Incorporating these habits into your daily riding routine will not only improve your control over the bike but also enhance your overall safety on the road. Remember, what you do as a habit is what you'll revert to in an emergency. By practicing safe braking techniques, you ensure that you can navigate through traffic and enjoy your ride with confidence. If you want to know more, join us for an individual or group course to feel confident city riding on the streets of Sydney……or dream big…. and cycle across the world.

How to make a right turn on a bicycle?

Making a right turn can be considered tricky when riding a bike as you may need to stop in the middle of the road to give way to any oncoming traffic. It is normal to feel pressure as a vulnerable road user but the good news are there are many options to relieve that pressure and get from A to B. So let’s explore options of how to turn right on a bike.

Option 1 - When there is no oncoming traffic make a classic right turn. From the primary position (centre of the lane) look over your right shoulder to check for any vehicles behind you, communicate to other road users by signaling a right turn approximately 30 meters before the intersection. Take another look over your right shoulder to check it is safe to turn and if so, proceed into the side street, remembering not to cut the corners.

Under NSW legislation, the road rules are that you must signal for a right turn. Pedal Set Go can help you iron out any wobbles so get in touch if you would like to do a course.

If there is oncoming traffic you may slow down or speed up to ensure you turn either before or after approaching vehicle to avoid having to stop and put your foot down in the middle of the road. This is not always practicable so let’s look at other options.

Option 2 - Walk! One of the best things about riding a bike is that it is so easy to get off and walk. As a pedestrian you often have priority over other road users . For example you may be able to pull over to the left and walk across a zebra crossing where other vehicles in both directions are required to give way to you. If there is no zebra crossing there may lights to use for your advantage. Remember it is illegal to ride on a green man signal.

Option 3 - U-Turn! Make a left hand turn and when safe to do so make a U-Turn. Give way at the intersection and proceed across the major road when you can. This can significantly relieve the pressure of making a right turn directly from the major road into a minor road.

Option 4 - Perform a Hook turn. Hook Turns are not just for drivers in Melbourne. Bike riders are permitted to make a hook turn anywhere unless prohibited by a no hook turn sign. You are not required to signal and signalling may be confusing to other road users.

So how to perform a hook turn by bike?

A Hook Turn is a right turn from the left lane. As you approach the intersection, merge to the far left and position your bicycle away from moving traffic, facing the direction you wish to go. Keep clear of any pedestrian crossing. Sometimes there are painted storage areas for bikes to do a hook turn and you must position your bike in this area if the infrastructure is available. At crossroads with traffic lights you must wait for green before proceeding straight ahead. Where there are no lights proceed when no vehicles will cross your path from either direction.

Option 5 - Choose a different route and explore Sydney ‘s cycleways.- Remember there is almost always an alternative way to get about by bike. City’s are full of connecting green ways, quiet streets and lanes, often parallel to busy roads. Free bicycle friendly maps are available from most local council’s so jump on their web sites and download a pdf copy or order one to be delivered directly to your door.

Take extra careful near trucks and buses.  Never overtake on the left of a vehicle even if it is stationary and ensure the driver can see you. Know their blind spots and if you can not see the driver remember that they can not see you.

Ride clear of parked cars.  Being 'doored' is one of the highest reasons for hospitalisation of cyclists in Sydney. Unless riding at 5 kilometres an hour or less, (Walking pace) Pedal set Go recommends you ride at least one metre away from parked cars so you can avoid car doors that may open in front of you.

Be aware of fast-moving traffic. Motorbikes and scooters often go much faster than other road users. Some vehicles are also very quiet. Vehicles can come up behind you very quickly, so regularly check behind you and always check before changing positioning within lanes.

Take special care at intersections. Most crashes happen at junctions so ensure you can see and be seen especially when there are multiple lanes and vehicles are moving fast. Our Confident City Rider Course gives you great tips to reduce the risks and improve safety cycling in the city.

You don’t have to use poorly designed cycleways. "Cycleways" or bicycle paths can improve safety, yet some in Greater Sydney are outdated and of poor quality: they are too short, give way to side streets, are too narrow, put you in the door zone, block sight lines or are blocked by parked cars or debris. The law permits bike riders to ride on the road instead of a bicycle path. However you must ride in a Bike Lane which is easily recognised by the sign with a picture of a bike and the word “LANE’. There are not that many of these in Sydney. Don't assume either paths or lanes are an automatic route to reducing risk. Choosing quiet streets can sometimes be a better alternative.

Be an assertive rider. You have the same right to ride on the road as other vehicles. It is safer to ride at least a metre from the kerb or parked cars so you can avoid opening car doors. Riding in the primary position and taking the lane also ensures you are more visible to other road users, such as those entering from side streets or those approaching from behind.

Make eye contact. Friendly interactions and eye contact with other road users not only keeps you safe but also ensures your journey is enjoyable. Include those who may turn across your path from side roads, those driving behind you, and those while you are waiting at traffic lights. Don't be afraid to smile, and make the effort to thank people when they are courteous. Riding a bike gives you an advantage over people in other vehicles in that it is easy to make eye contact and thus enable other road users to treat you as a human rather than an obstacle that they have to get around.

Communicate with hand signals .It's safer, and good manners, to signal left or right when turning in the vicinity of other road users, including other bike riders and people walking. But remember, control of the bike takes priority. If you do not feel that you have control by taking a hand off the handlebar to signal right, you are better off pulling over to the left and dismounting. If you are lucky, there will be a pedestrian crossing, which may be the fastest route available for you to cross the road.

Be considerate to people walking in Sydney. Slow down and give pedestrians enough space on shared paths, where they always have priority. When riding along busy streets, go at a speed that allows you to avoid anyone who steps off the footpath into your path of travel. Remember to ring your bell to notify people of your approach, and a friendly vocal greeting is always welcome.

Use front and back lights at night It is a legal requirement to use bike lights from dusk till dawn; also consider wearing light-coloured or high-visibility clothing or adding reflective material to your bike and gear.

Adjust your behaviour in bad weather  Reduce your speed and allow extra margins for error to manoeuvre or stop your bike. Give other road users additional space as they will also need more braking time. Road users and pedestrians may have reduced visibility and you may also consider wearing high visibility clothing and using your lights even in the day time. Oil leaking from motorised vehicles, paint, wet leaves and metal surfaces will be slippery.

Don't run red lights or ride on the footpath. These actions can be hazardous and/or frightening to others, especially people walking. Riding on footpaths is against the law with a few exceptions, such as accompanying a child up to 16 years of age. These actions are a common source of conflict with other road users, and unfairly present all riders as “cyclists” who break the law.

Take care when carrying a load. Panniers, a rack, basket or a rucksack are good options for general items. Hanging your shopping from handlebars or carrying bags under one arm makes riding more difficult and may cause items to come in contact with moving parts.

Take care of your bike. Know your ABC safety check. Check for enough Air and the appropriate tyre pressure, ensure both your Brakes work, and ensure that your Chain is clean and oiled regularly. At Pedal Set Go our course offerings include beginner bike handling lessons, commuter skills, advanced road techniques, and to keep you rolling …. bike maintenance workshops. We also teach people preventative maintenance to reduce costs and common maintenance issues with owning a bike.

Ride Graciously.  If another road user's actions cause you alarm, it is better to let them pass when it is safe to do so. Take a quick break if you need to. If you shout at them angrily, it is unlikely they will listen. However, you will likely get upset or angry, which makes it difficult to make good decisions and ride safely as your head is no longer focused on the task at hand, which is enjoying riding from A to B.

Know the Road Rules and regulations applicable to all road users.